Review Article CODEN: IJPRNK ISSN: 2277

2277-8713
Siddhendu Bhattacharjee,, IJPRBS, 2013; Volume 2(4): 1-16 IJPRBS

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
BIO--SCIENCE
PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH AND BIO
A REVIEW ON MEDICINALLY IMPORTANT SPECIES OF PICRORHIZA
SIDDHENDU BHATTACHARJEE, SIBASIS BHATTACHARYA, SAMPRITI JANA, DILEEP SINGH
BAGHEL.
Lovely School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (Ayurveda), Lovely Faculty of Applied Medical
Sciences, Lovely Professional University,
University Phagwara, Punjab,
Punjab India.

Accepted Date: 18/03/2013;

1 Published Date: 27/08/2013
/2013

Abstract: India is known as the “vegetable emporium of the world”. Ayurveda more precisely
known as the science of life has delivered cures for dreaded diseases right from the existence
of mankind as old as 5,000 B.C. Amongst many useful herbs the plant Picrorhiza (Katuki)
considered as a bitter drug has been used in treating liverliver disorders since antiquity. Lord
Dhanwantari has introduced this particular herb considering the mythological tradition of
India. The herb has also long been used in Chinese system of medicine. This essential plant is
sometimes adulterated with some othe otherr plant species that resembles its morphological
characters. The genus has two species P. kurroa and P. scrophulariiflora which are unique in
their own characteristics and the plant is mainly found in the Himalayan region. In a bid to
achieve symptomatic fast
ast relief often some essential herbs are overlooked, one such plant is
Picrorhiza. Thus an effort has been made in reviewing the available literatures that are
available about the plant in the most common texts which would provide a structure for the
use of the herb for a layman also who needs to be aware about the standards that are
mentioned and how are they mentioned at the same time to highlight the use of this
traditional plant.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Picrorhiza, Therapeutic uses, Classical literatures

Corresponding Author: Mr. SIDDHENDU BHATTACHARJEE

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Review Article CODEN: IJPRNK
Siddhendu Bhattacharjee, IJPRBS, 2013; Volume 2(4): 1-16
INTRODUCTION
Natural products have been an important
resource for the maintenance of life for
ages. Already in the earliest written
traditions e.g. the Rig-Veda of South Asia
(1500-900 BC), it is evident that plants
played an important role in daily life. One of
the best-known examples is Soma, a plant
that was pressed to yield juice, which was
used as a medicine. The interest in
medicinal plants has never ceased since
even today, natural products become
increasingly important as a source of
pharmacotherapeutics [1].
One of the plants mentioned in Ayurveda
having important medicinal properties is
‘Katuka’. Hindi derivative of ‘katuka’ is
generally known as kutki. In several
Nighantus the synonym and properties of
katuka are mentioned.
The name of Picrorhiza is derived from the
bitter root, where “Picros” means bitter,
while “rhiza” means root. The specific name
kutki is derived from “Karu”, the Punjabi
name of the plant, which means bitter as
well [2].
In Indian mythology the herb katuka is said
to have been administered by
Dhanwantary, the God of medicine himself
and because of this it is also known as
Dhanwantary-grastya [3].
Picrorhiza species is generally collected at
the base of the Zemu glacier in Sikkim at
4300 meter, and is identified as Picrorhiza
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kurroa. The picrorhiza species belongs to
the genus Picrorhiza are characterized into
two species [4], one of the dry western
(Picrorhiza kurrooa), and the other of the
moist eastern Himalaya (Picrorhiza
scrophulariiflora).The plant Picrorhiza
scrophulariiflora (Scrophulariaceae) grows
in the high altitude regions (over 4,400 mt)
in the southeast of Tibet and the northwest
of Yunnan in China. The roots of this plant,
known to be rich in terpenoids, iridoid
glycosides, phenolic glycosides and
phenylethanoid glycosides are used in
Traditional Chinese Medicine for the
treatment of damp-heat dysentery,
jaundice etc[2].
Picrorhiza rhizome or 'Indian gentian'
obtained from Picrorhiza kurroa contains
bitter iridoid glycosides. It is used in India to
treat liver ailments, blood and burning
sensation, curing fever caused by kapha-
pitta, expelling urinary disease (prameha),
leprosy (kustha)[4].
‘Picrorhizae’ consists of the dried rhizome
with root of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle or of
Neopicrorhiza scrophularriflora Hong [Syn:
Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora Pennell]
(Scrophulariaceae). The rhizomes of
Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora Hong [syn.
Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora Pennell] are
taxonomically similar and have been used in
traditional medicine for the same purposes
and traded under the same vernacular
names. [5]
Commercial market samples of P. kurroa
are often adulterated with Latotis
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cashmiriana (Selaginaceae). Though the
latter grows with P. kurroa at similar
elevations between 3,200-4,500 mt which
does not possess hepatoprotective
[6]
properties .Where else dried roots and
rhizomes of Picrorhiza is used as a
substitute of Indian Gentian (Gentiana
kurroo) and considered to be a bitter tonic
almost as efficacious as Gentian. [7]
Bitter Glycoside: In general, bitters are the
edible natural products mostly consumed
before any normal meals to stimulate as
well as enhance the appetite. However, the
bitter glycosides as a class do possess
almost similar activities like the bitters such
as: digestive, stomachic and febrifuge.
Therapeutically, the bitters have been
found to exert their stimulant effects on the
gustatory (i.e. related to the sense of taste)
nerves located in the mouth and ultimately
give rise to an improved gastric juice
secretion in the stomach. The bitter
glycosides have been found not confined to
the same chemical class, but the most
important ones amongst them essentially
possess the pyran cyclopentane ring. A
number of bitter glycosides isolated from
natural plants have been put into actual
therapeutic practice, namely: Picrorhiza,
Gentian, and Chirata[8]..
Iridoid glycosides: Iridoid are a class
of secondary metabolites found in a wide
variety of plants and in some animals. They
are monoterpenes biosynthesized
from isoprene and they are often
intermediates in the biosynthesis
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of alkaloids. Chemically, the iridoids usually
consist of a cyclopentane ring fused to a six-
membered oxygen heterocycle. Cleavage of
a bond in the cyclopentane ring gives rise to
a subclass known as seco-iridoids. Iridoids
are typically found in plants as glycosides,
most often bound to glucose. Iridoid are
found in many medicinal plants and may be
responsible for some of their
pharmaceutical activities. Isolated and
purified, iridoids exhibit a wide range of
bioactivities including cardiovascular,
antihepatotoxic, choleretic, hypoglycemic,
analgesic, anti-inflammatory,
antimutagenic, antispasmodic, antitumor,
antiviral, immunomodulator, and purgative
activities. The iridoids are produced by
plants primarily as a defense against
herbivores or against infection by
microorganisms. To humans and other
mammals, iridoids are often characterized
by a deterrent bitter taste [8, 9].
Aucubin and catalpol are two of the most
common iridoids in the plant kingdom.
Iridoids are prevalent in the plant subclass
like Ericaceae, Rubiaceae,
Scrophulariaceae, Valerianaceae,
and Menyanthaceae. In the plants of the
genus picrorhiza, kutkoside and kutkin is
present which is known to be the mixture of
picroside I and picroside II [10], which are C-9
monoterpene iridoid glycosides. The
chemical structure of picroside I and
picroside II are as follows. Indian Himalayan
region is one of the richest sources of
biological diversity and has been a major
source of herbal raw materials. Picrorhiza
kurroa is endemic to Himalayan region and
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grows from Kashmir to Sikkim at an altitude
of 3000-5000 mt. A bitter extract rich in
iridoid glycosides from the dried roots and
rhizomes has hepatoprotective,
anticholestatic, antioxidant, anti-
inflammatory and immune modulating
activities.
SCROPHULARIACEAE – THE FIGWORT
FAMILY:
Introduction: This is a large plant family,
with around 3000 species in around 200
genera, mainly found in the northern
temperate regions of the world. Many of
the plants in this Family are popular garden
plants like tiny alpines; other plants in this
family grown for ornament
include Mimulus, Penstemon, Hebe, and
Calceolaria. One or two are grown also for
the production of the drugs
notably Digitalis (Foxglove) for digitalin.
Habit: Most of them are herbaceous, with a
few shrubs and climbers, with one genus of
trees (Paulownia). Some of them are semi-
parasitic (annual or perennial herbs or
under shrubs).
Flowers: The flowers are usually
zygomorphic and the stamens reduced to
four anatomical characters include
glandular hairs in which the head is divided
by vertical walls only, and the stomata,
which are surrounded by three or more
epidermal cells. Calcium oxalate is relatively
rare; when present, it occurs in small
solitary crystals. Scrophulariaceae flowers
have distinctly two-lipped corollas, with the
upper lip divided into 2 lobes, and the lower
into 3. Mostly The calyx is usually five-
lobed, but may be four-lobed. Most have 2
pairs of stamen, but there may from 2 to 5,
in pairs or individual. The calyx under the
flowers has five lobes, and the flowers are
usually borne in spikes. There are two main
flower shapes. Some species have four
petals, but many have irregular shaped
flowers with five petals, often joined to
form a bell or tube, sometimes with two
lips. In some species, there is a long hollow
spur with honey to attract pollinators.
There are two long and two short stamens
attached to the petals.
Leaves: Generally, the leaves are opposite
or alternate, without stipules, and may be
evergreen. Sometimes, they are lobed or
cut.
Seeds: The seed capsule in this family is
inside the flower (superior), and has two
parts, each with many small seeds [11].
REVIEW OF CLASSICAL LITERATURE:
Katuki is known in ayurveda as ‘katuka’. In
several Nighantus and Samhitas, the
synonym and the properties of katuka are
mentioned. In ‘Vedas’ there is no written
description is given. Following is an
overview of some representative sources in
which katuka is described. From various
Ayurvedic literatures starting from Samhitas
to Nighantus we get the various description
of the plant Katuki. Even we can find the
scattered references in the classics like
Caraka Samhita [12],Susruta Samhita

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[13]
,Astang Samgraha [14] ,Dhavantari
Nighantu [15].In Dhavantari Nighantu various
synonyms of katuka is mentioned like
matsyaskala, katuka, tikta, cakrangi,
asokarohini, tiktakarohini, arista, janani.
Here also the properties of katuka is been
mentioned like tikta, katu, pittajit. Katuka
conquers cold, blood and burning
sensation, destroys kapha and overcomes
digestion of food and removes remittent
fever (Visamajvaranasini).List of formulation
mentioned in Sarangadhara Samhita [16]
where Katuki is one of the main ingredient.
Raj Nighantu: Ras of katuki is katu; veerya is
sita and well known for the disease like
jwar, swas pira, kaphaj disease, rajyakshma,
ruche bardhak[17].
Bhavaprakasa Nighantu: Different
synonyms like katvi, tikta, asoka, katuka,
katambhara, rohini and katurohini are
mentioned. Rasa of Katuka is tikta. Guna is
rukshma, sita, laghu. Vipak of katuka is katu
and it works as agnidipak and the other
indications of katuka are pittajwar,
prameha, swash, kasa, rakta dosa, daha,
kustha, kriminasak[18].
Shankar Nighantu: In this the various
synonyms are mentioned with its
description, properties and dose[19].
Nighantu Adarsa: In this text we found the
drug is called as ‘katuki’ or ‘kutki’, also the
synonyms and ‘nirukti’ for the plants are
mentioned. With this distribution,
description and upayog of the drug is also
mentioned. Most importantly the main part
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of use is also described as root (Mool) and
also it has been confirmed that though it is
supposed that Gentiana kurroo (trayaman)
and picrorhiza kurroa are same but they are
different from each other[20].
REVIEW OF MODERN LITERATURE:
The present era is a time of technological
advancements coupled up with stringent
uses of drugs that are bound to give values.
Thus there lies an utmost necessity in
reviewing the modern literatures that are
considered as standards by the I.S.M. This
gives a proper implication of the particular
medicinal part of the plant that should be
used to give therapeutic efficacies and at
the same time to understand the
mechanism of action of the particular
chemical constituent that is giving the
desired result.
In ayurvedic classics we also get the
description of both the species belonging
from genus ‘Picrorhiza’ from many
contemporary books, are described here.
Distribution of Picrorhiza kurroa:
Katuka consists of the dried rhizome with
root of Picrorhiza kurroa (Fam.
Scrophulariaceae); a perennial, more or less
hairy herb common on the northwestern
Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim[21, 22, 23, 24,
25, 26]
.
Synonyms of Picrorhiza kurroa:
In Sanskrit it is known as Tikta, Tikta rohini,
Katurohini¸ Sutiktaka, Kauka; in Assamese it
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is called as Katki, Kutki; in English it is
known as Black Hellebore [19], Hellebore [23,
24]
, Yellow gentian [3]; in Guajarati it is
known as Kadu, Katu; in Hindi it is called
Kutki. This plant also known as Katuka
rohini, katuka rohini in Kannada; Kutki,
Kalikutki in Marathi; Katuki in Oriya; Karru,
kaur in Punjabi; Katuka rohini, Katuku
rohini, Kadugurohini in Tamil[21, 22, 23, 24, 25,
26]
. cases, one or two small vascular bundles
Morphology of the plant Picrorhiza kurroa:
The stems and the conical buds along with
the drugs usually form a part of the drug
itself [8]. The rhizome of this perennial herb
is long, externally grayish-brown, surface
rough due to longitudinal wrinkles & Taste
is bitter[23] Rhizomes are jointed and zigzag,
cylindrical, irregularly curved with
branching and rooting at the jointed
nodes[26]. The roots are invariably wrinkled
in the longitudinal fashion having
transverse cracks. They are grayish to
brown in appearance, while the fracture is
tough (8).Root stacks are irregularly curved
as thick as the little finger [3, 25]. Leaves are
basal and alternate with terminal spikes
present in this species. They are of 5-10 cm
in length [23, 25]. In the flower, calyx are
generally 5 in number; corolla are of almost
9-10 mm long, 4-lobed, and bilabiate;
stamens slightly di-dynamous almost
equaling corolla [23]. Stem is small, weak,
creeping, erect at flowering, leafy, and
slightly hairy [26].
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Microscopic character of medicinally
important parts (Rhizome and Root) of
Picrorhiza kurroa: [5, 6, 23]
Rhizome – The rhizome consists of 20-25
layers of cork consisting of tangentially
elongated, suberised cells; cork cambium is
generally 1-2 layered; cortex single layered
or absent, primary cortex persists in some
present in cortex; vascular bundles
surrounded by single layered endodermis of
thick-walled cells; secondary phloem
composed of phloem parenchyma and a
few scattered fibers; cambium 2-4 layered;
secondary xylem consists of vessels,
tracheids, xylem fibers and xylem
parenchyma, vessels vary in shape and size
having transverse oblique articulation;
tracheids long, thick-walled, lignified, more
or less cylindrical with blunt tapering ends;
xylem parenchyma thin-walled and
polygonal in shape; centre occupied by a
small pith consisting of thin-walled cells;
simple round to oval, starch grains,
measuring 25-104 μm in dia., abundantly
found in all cells.
Root -Young root generally have single
layered epidermis, some epidermal cells
elongate forming unicellular hairs;
hypodermis single layered; cortex is 8-14
layered consisting of oval to polygonal,
thick-walled, parenchymatous cells; primary
stele tetrarch to heptarch, enclosed by
single layered pericycle and single layered,
thick-walled cells of endodermis; mature
root shows 4-15 layers of cork, 1-2 layers of
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cork cambium; secondary phloem poorly
developed; secondary xylem consisting of
vessels, tracheids, parenchyma and fibers;
vessels have varying shape and size, some
cylindrical with tail like, tapering ends,
some drum shaped with perforation on end
walls or lateral walls; tracheids cylindrical
with tapering pointed ends; fibers aseptate,
thick-walled, lignified with tapering blunt
chisel-like pointed ends.
Microscopy of root powder – In colour it is
dusty grey; shows groups of fragments of
cork cells, thick-walled Parenchyma, pitted
vessels and aseptate fibers, simple round to
oval, starch grains are generally 25 - 104 μm
in diameter.
Chemical Constituents of Picrorhiza kurroa:
The therapeutically potent constituents of
the drug essentially comprises of three vital
bitter glycosides, namely: Picroside I,
Picroside II and Kutkoside. Among them
chemically both Picroside and Kutkoside are
C-9 monoterpenes. Iridoid glycosides having
an epoxy moiety present in the
cyclopentane ring. Besides, it also contains
organic acids, resin, sugar and tannins along
with cucurbitacin glycosides (highly
oxygenated triterpenes), apocycynin
androsin, D-mannitol, Kutkiol, Kutkisterol,
Apocyanin, Phenol glucosides, Androsin,
and Picein Iridoid glycosides, Kutkin,
Picroside I, II, III, IV, V, Kutkoside,
Picrorhizin[3, 21, 22, 23, 24].
Ayurvedic properties and action of
Picrorhiza kurroa: [23, 24, 27]
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Rasa-Katu, Tikta; Guna-Laghu; Virya-Usna;
Vipaka-Katu; Karma-Hridaya, Pitta-hara,
Deepaniya, Bhedini, Jvarahara.
Important formulation of Picrorhiza
kurroa: [23]
Arogyavardhini Gutika is a formulation
mainly used for Pitta vikar (disease due to
abnormality of Pitta) like skin diseases and
blood disorders like jaundice, anaemia and
useful in poor appetite and one of the
major ingredients is Katuka.
Tiktaka Ghrita is a formulation mainly used
in Kandu, Meda, Gulma, Grahani and Katuka
is also used to prepare the formulation.
Sarvajvarahara Lauha is an ayurvedic
formulation mainly used in Jirna-jvara;
Pliha-roga, Yakrit-roga.
Mahatikataka Ghrita is a formulation found
in Bhaisajya Ratnavali and used for all
chronic skin diseases that are deep in the
plasma, blood and muscle tissue with red
eruptions and itching. In this formulation
one of the main ingredients is Katuka.
Uses of Picrorhiza kurroa:
Traditional uses: This plant is used as Svasa,
Daha, Jvara, Kamala, Kustha, and Arocaka
[3]
.
Modern uses: The dried roots & rhizomes
are used as hepatoprotective, antiasthemic,
immunomodulatory agent particularly for
liver disorders & jaundice, fever, dysentery
and diarrhea [23].
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Ethno veterinary uses: Picrorhiza kurroa is
used in various diseases including fever in
domestic animals. The roots are used as an
appetite in swine [3].
Monograph for Picrorhiza kurroa:
The monograph of the plants as mentioned
in the authoritative and standard texts
which are approved by the government of
India are tabulated in below table (Table
No. 01)
Dose of Picrorhiza kurroa:
1- 3 gm of the drug in powder form [23].
Distribution of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora:
This plant is mainly found in the Himalayas,
from Kashmir to Sikkim at an elevation of
2,700-4,500 mt. Its rhizome are generally
used in the Tibetan & Chinese traditional
medicine to treat various ailments like liver
disease, fever, asthma, jaundice & also have
pharmaceutical values for hepato
[1, 4, 28]
protective, antiasthma activities .
Synonyms of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora:
In Sanskrit it is known as katuki, katuka-
rohini, tikta, matsyapitta; in English it is
called Picrorhiza; in Hindi it is called Kutki;
in Bengali it is known as Karu. It is also
known as Kutki, Kaduki, Katuki, Katuko,
Kutke in Nepal; and as Hu Huang Lian in
China [28, 29, 30].
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Morphology of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora:
The plant is low (about 10-20 cm in height),
hairy, perennial herb and its flowering time
is from July- August [29]. The rhizome of this
perennial herb is long, externally pale
(grayish)-brown covered with dried leaves,
surface rough due to longitudinal wrinkles
and taste is bitter [30, 31]. Rhizomes and roots
are intact; grayish brown in colour with
numerous circular
root scars and short thin fractures and
[30]
longitudinally wrinkled . Leaves basal,
alternate, acuminate, serrate, stalked,
winged, oblanceolate or narrowly
spathulate, each leaf is 2 -6 cm long and 0.5
-1.2 cm wide, usually 10-20 per rosette;
serrate in upper half; surfaces glabrous or
sparingly short-glandular-hairy [30, 31].
Flowers are dark blue purple, the flowering
time is July – August. The flowers are found
in a dense terminal spikes arising from a
rosette of conspicuously toothed leaves,
Calyx are generally 5 in no. Corolla is of
almost 9-10 mm long, 4-lobed, and
bilabiate; stamens slightly didynamous
almost equaling corolla [30, 31]. Fruits are
capsule & 6-10 mm in size, and ovoid,
swollen. Seeds are pale brown in colour,
and reniform, and 1 x 0.8 mm in size, the
fruiting time is October –November [31].
Microscopic character of Rhizome and leaf
of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora:
Rhizome – The rhizome was distributed by
well-developed cork layers and
collenchyma. Large numbers of
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aerenchymas distributed widely in leaf,
aerial stem and rhizome [32].
Leaf – Leaf surface was covered with two
kinds of glandular hair, and the stoma was
anomocytic type. Moreover, the leaf was
isolateral and differed from most of alpine
plant. The aerial stem had well-developed
mechanical tissue [32].
Chemical Constituents of Picrorhiza
scrophulariiflora:
In the roots of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora a
bitter cucurbitacin glycoside is present
together with three known indoidal
glycosides, amphicoside (picroside- Ⅱ ),
catalpol, aucubin a phenol glycoside,
androsin, minecoside and scroside and a
known cucurbitacin glycoside [33].
Therapeutic uses of Picrorhiza
scrophulariiflora:
The root of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora is
used in Nepal as a cathartic, in cases of
dyspepsia as a purgative, and to treat
scorpion bites. The dried rhizome is
antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-
[29]
periodic and laxative (in small dose) .
SCIENTIFIC STUDIES DONE ON GENOUS
PICRORHIZA:
Pharmacognostical evaluation
Microscopy of rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa
and its powder character: Transverse
section of Picrorhiza rhizome shows the
important parts like cork, cambium, cortex,
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endodermis, xylem, phloem and pith and
also in powder microscopy starch grains,
pigment cells, and cortical parenchyma can
be seen [34].
Analytical study:
TLC: TLC of alcoholic extract of the drug on
Silica gel 'G' plate using
Choloroform:Methanol (95: 5) shows under
U.V. light (366 nm) three fluorescent zones
at Rf. 0.05 (blue), 0.30 (blue) and 0.35
(green). On exposure to Iodine vapour nine
spots appear at Rf. 0.10, 0.17, 0.21, 0.30,
0.37, 0.41, 0.62, 0.72 and 0.84 (all yellow).
On spraying with 5% methanolic sulphuric
acid reagent and heating the plate for about
ten minutes at 105°C seven spots appear at
Rf. 0.05, 0.10, 0.17, 0.21, 0.30, 0.41 and
0.84 (all brownish grey) [23].
Quantitative study: In Picrorhiza kurroa the
two iridoid glycosides kutkoside and
picroside-I were found to have the active
hepatoprotective principles and their
quantification was performed for the
routine quality control of Kutki extract. For
the Quantitation of these phytoconstituents
a precise and rapid thin-layer
chromatography (TLC) method was
developed. The analysis was performed on
a TLC precoated silica gel 60 F254 plate with
ethyl acetate: methanol: glacial acetic acid:
formic acid (25:5:1:1) as mobile phase.
Densitometric evaluation of kutkoside and
picroside-I was carried out at 265 nm and
the mobile phase showed good resolution
with Rf values 0.42_0.03 and 0.61_0.03 for
kutkoside and picroside-I, respectively. The
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content of kutkoside and picroside-I was
found to be 2.18 and 1.90%, respectively,
and was comparable with those obtained
by HPLC. The linearity was found to be in
the range of 80–480 ng/spot for both
kutkoside and picroside-I. The average
recovery values were found to be 96.5 and
96.0% for kutkoside and picroside-I,
respectively [35].
Qualitative study: In Picrorhiza kurroa,
picroside I and II are the active ingredients
responsible for its medicinal effect. These
chemical constituents vary according to
different plants at different altitudes & this
is analyzed by HPLC studies. The plants
collected from the lower altitude contains
less picroside content as compared to
plants collected from higher altitude [36].
Pharmacological studies:
Anti-asthmatic activity: P.kurroa has been
studied extensively for its anti-asthmatic
activity. The crude extract of P.kurroa roots
reduced the frequency and severity of
asthmatic attacks and the need for regular
bronchodilators. The activity has been
attributed to compounds such as androsin
and apocynin, which have been shown to
inhibit allergen and PAF- induced broncho-
constriction [37].
Digestive activity: Picrorhiza is used in India
for the people with constipation due to
insufficient digestive secretions [37].
Anti-diabetic activity: Extract of Picrorhiza
was found to lower blood glucose in
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IJPRBS
laboratory animals. Chronic administration
of the extract significantly reduced blood
sugar in alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 10
days. The extract was also to find to reduce
the increased blood urea nitrogen & serum
lipid peroxides in alloxan-induced diabetic
animals and to inhibit the body weight
reduction and leukopenia induced by
alloxan administration [37].
Immunomodulatory activity: The effect of
an ethanolic extract of each drug was
studied on delayed type hypersensitivity,
humoral responses to sheep red blood cells,
skin allograft rejection, and phagocytic
activity of the reticuloendothelial system in
mice. Picrorhiza kurroa was found to be a
potent immunostimulant of both cell-
mediated and humoral activity[37].
Anti-arthritic activity: Open-label studies
conducted in India show a preliminary
benefit for persons with primarily
rheumatoid arthritis [37].
Hypolipemic activity: A hypolipemic effect
of the water extract of Picrorhiza kurroa
was observed in a high fat diet feeding
hyperlipemic mouse at doses of 50, 100 and
200 mg/kg, orally, once a day for 12 weeks.
Liver weight, serum aspartate transferase
(AST), alanine transferase (ALT), low density
lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride and total
cholesterol levels were significantly reduced
by the treatment. On the contrary, serum
HDL level seems not affected by P. kurroa
water extract [38].
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Siddhendu Bhattacharjee, IJPRBS, 2013; Volume 2(4): 1-16
Anti-inflammatory activity: Apocynin is a
constituent of root extracts of Picrorhiza
and has been reported to possess anti-
inflammatory properties in laboratory
animals. Apocynin concentration
dependently inhibited the formation of
thromboxane A2, whereas the release of
prostaglandins E2 and F2α was stimulated.
Apocynin inhibited arachidonic acid-
induced aggregation of bovine platelets,
possibly through inhibition of thromboxane
formation [37]. The rhizome of Picrorhiza
scrophulariiflora is used to treat
inflammatory diseases as a traditional
medication. The ethanol extract of
Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora in rabbits
improves accelerated atherosclerosis
through inhibition of redox-sensitive
inflammation [39].
Hepatoprotective activity: Alcoholic extract
of the plant and kutkin possess
hepatoprotective activity. Plant is a potent
immunostimulant of both cell mediated and
hormonal immunity and exhibits choleretic
activity in dogs. Picrorhiza kurroa is also
beneficial in the management of bronchial-
asthma [37]. The hepato-protective effect of
Picrorhiza kurroa roots have been shown in
diverse models of liver injury. The crude
extract, and the isolated active principles of
the roots have been shown to protect the
liver from various types of drug-induced
injury isolated compounds from P. kurroa
have also been shown to have
hepatoprotective activity [37]. Non-alcoholic
fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats was cured
by giving standard hydro-alcoholic extracts
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IJPRBS
of picrorhiza kurroa. It reduced the lipid
content of liver significantly at the dose of
400mg/kg [40].
Anti-Diabetic activity: In the Streptozotocin
induced diabetic rats were treated with a
gavage of ethanol extraction of
Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora. It reduced
NADPH-oxidase dependent superoxide
generation and decreased expression of
malondialdehyde and advanced oxidation
protein products in diabetic kidney. So,
extraction of Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora
improves diabetic nephropathy through
inhibition of redox sensitive inflammation
[41]
.
Toxicity study:
Picrorhiza is not readily water soluble & is
ethanol soluble. The bitter taste makes
tinctures unpalatable. So, it is therefore
usually administered as a standardized (4%
kutkin) encapsulated powder extract.
Typical adult dosage is 400-1500 mg/day,
with dosages up to 3.5 gm/day sometimes
being recommended for fevers. Picrorhiza
root extracts are widely used in India with
no adverse effects having been reported.
The LD50 of kutkin is greater than 2600
mg/kg in rats with no data available for
humans [42].
Result and discussion
Genus Picrorhiza belonging to family
Scrophulariaceae has a great importance in
traditional system of medicines. Its two
species P.kurroa and P.scrophulariiflora
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Review Article CODEN: IJPRNK
Siddhendu Bhattacharjee, IJPRBS, 2013; Volume 2(4): 1-16
have so much similarity[43] due to the
presence of similar active constituents like
picroside-I, picroside-II, kutkoside which
belongs to Iridoid glycoside. Besides having
similar constituents P.scrophulariiflora
contains additional phenylethanoid
glycoside and plantamajoside which are
absent in the species P.kurroa. So
P.scrophulariiflora is used as a better
substitute for P.kurroa. In the recent pasts
no such attempt has been made to
compare and evaluate the different species
of the plant katuki. So, these species might
have been mixed or adulterated very easily.
A lot of work has been done on P.kurroa but
a very less work has been performed on it’s
another sp. named as P. scrophulariiflora.
Thus reviewing the genus picrorhiza it is
clear that the two species of the plant are
unique in their characteristics and traits
Figure 1: Root of Picrorhiza kurroa (Root and microscopy)
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ISSN: 2277-8713
IJPRBS
which implies that if a medicinal
formulation is made, the specific species
mentioned should be considered by
evaluating its morphological, microscopical
and analytical that should be considered as
a proper standard. Thus whole profile of
reviewing the available literature is of pre-
requisite importance.
Acknowledgements
I hereby convey my sincere regards to my
guide for guiding me in this review. I am
also grateful to the faculty members of
Lovely School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
for providing me with all sorts of help in a
bid to make this review as an important
contribution in the field of Ayurveda. I am
also thankful to my friends who have
helped a lot giving the inspirations.
12
Review Article CODEN: IJPRNK ISSN: 2277-8713
Siddhendu Bhattacharjee, IJPRBS, 2013; Volume 2(4): 1-16 IJPRBS

Figure 2: Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Sketch, root and microscopy)

Table No: 1

Parameters Limits
Foreign organic matter Not more than 2%
Total ash Not more than 7%
Acid-insoluble ash Not more than 1-3%
Alcohol soluble extractive Not less than 10%
Water soluble extractive Not less than 20%
Loss on drying Not more than 13% water.

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